CHARLOTTESVILLE — David Watford doesn't even recognize the guy who didn't throw a single interception in 158 passes three years ago as a senior at Hampton High. That kid is gone.

He's been replaced by a man who's had to learn what it's like to absorb a slap to the ego, and emerge with a new outlook. Though he hasn't been named Virginia's starter yet, he'll open preseason practices Monday as the Cavaliers' No. 1 quarterback, ahead of redshirt freshman Greyson Lambert.

“I don't even remember what that guy was like,” Watford, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound sophomore, said of his high school days. “I feel even better now. I feel more confident. That guy (at Hampton) — I don't know what it was … I had an angel guiding every pass that I threw.”

Watford isn't foolish enough to compare his high school playing days to the complexities of what he's already seen at the college level. With new U.Va. offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild guiding him, Watford hopes to recapture some of the old magic.

U.Va. coach Mike London said Friday at his team's media day that he wants to give Lambert a chance to compete with Watford, so London isn't quite ready to announce a starter for the Aug. 31 season opener in Charlottesville against Brigham Young.

Fairchild, who spent last season as a senior offensive assistant coach with the San Diego Chargers and who brings a pro-style offense to U.Va., isn't rushing the decision.

“When the time is right, we'll know,” Fairchild said. “We've got a lot of guys on our staff, from Coach London all the way down, that have coached a lot of football. We're not going to force anything. It'll be obvious when it's obvious.”

Much of Watford's lingering on-field poise from his high school days vanished for a while last season, when he was asked to redshirt. The decision to redshirt him came after he played in 10 games as a true freshman in 2011, completing just 40.5 percent of his passes for 346 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions while rotating for the first seven games with Michael Rocco.

“David didn't sulk (last season), never sulked,” U.Va. running back Kevin Parks said. “He came out to practice, worked every day. In the weight room, he was doing something extra — extra throwing, extra watching film.

“I remember watching that kid, because in my mind, hey, dang, if that happened to me, I may be mad and looking elsewhere. You never know, but David didn't do that. He stuck around and that's part of (being) a man.”

Watford heard fans and media wonder aloud last season if he should switch positions to revive a college career that appeared to be a lost cause at quarterback. He didn't listen.

“I let it go,” Watford said. “There's always people that are going to doubt you and second-guess you. I told Coach London that if that was the only possible way that I would ever get on the field, then I would switch positions, but I knew I could play quarterback. I know I'm going to be a good quarterback.

“I just didn't want the guys to see me down (last season). Even though I didn't see myself as a leader last year, I just knew if I was going to be in a role of leadership that they can't see me down. They can't see me swaying back and forth, having high days and having low days. I have to be consistent and I have to be steady with what I do.

Watford admits he initially didn't know how to make the transition to the college game. It was all coming at him too fast. He was nervous and overwhelmed, but his patience has paid off.

“When they told him the plan about redshirting, I guess he was sad at some point, but then it was like he just flipped a switch and was like, ‘I'm going to make the most out of this year just sitting out,' ” said U.Va. wide receiver Tim Smith, who lives with Watford.

“He tries to be the same all the time, even though he might not (be that way) inside. You really can't tell.”

Watford took a big step ahead in the spring, moving to the top of the depth chart after Rocco transferred in January to Richmond. Sims, who was No. 3 on the depth chart coming out of the spring, transferred this summer to Division II Winston-Salem State.

“He's come a long way,” U.Va. tight end Jake McGee said of Watford. “I'm really impressed with the way David has matured and grown into a leader. When David says something, guys stop talking and listen to him. He truly has earned being considered a leader of this football team.”

Though he didn't play last season, teammates recognized Watford's work ethic, rewarding him during this offseason by giving him the most votes for the team leadership council.

“I think that guys have seen him go through the things that he's gone through,” London said. “There's an appreciation for how he's developed, how he's matured and how he's handled this whole quarterback situation.”

When the official quarterback decision is made by London, Watford's goal is to make sure it doesn't affect his drive.

“I have to act like he hasn't named the starter,” Watford said. “Even if he does, or when he does, I have to act like it doesn't matter, because it really doesn't. I haven't proven anything on the field yet. I haven't played in two years, so I still have a lot to prove.”

Just how Watford could be utilized is another topic. With new special-teams coordinator and running backs coach Larry Lewis in the fold, U.Va. has an experienced practitioner of the pistol formation.

Lewis also was the special-teams coordinator and running backs coach last season at Nevada, where he helped run the pistol under former coach and pistol architect Chris Ault.

Given Watford's mobility, and the hype surrounding the pistol after former Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance last season, could some variations of the pistol be in Watford's future as an alternative to Fairchild's pro-style attack? Watford may be short on experience, but he knows when to keep his mouth shut.

“I can't really give that answer,” said Watford regarding the pistol formation. “Just know we have a lot of different stuff prepared for the first game and for the season. I'm really excited.”